Gwelup Croatia are top of the table in Division One
DIVISION ONE
Gwelup Croatia are top of the table after two rounds of the State League Division One season, following a 4-0 win over Gosnells City at the Croatian Sporting Complex.
Basil Lenzo’s side are one of two teams who have started the year with a 100% record. Gwelup laid the platform for victory with two goals inside the first quarter of an hour from Robert Ferrante and Daniel Iuliano. A third was scored early in the second half when Jeremie Mba’s shot was blocked and Gosnells couldn’t clear their lines, resulting in Jacob Rossi finishing from close range. Rossi then added a fourth 20 minutes from time when dispatching Ferrante’s cross from the left to continue his early season form and have Gwelup out of blocks quickly in 2025.
UWA Nedlands are the other side who have started the season with two wins from two, following a 1-0 win over Joondalup City. They left it late to take all three points with Nick Falco’s deflected free kick on 94 minutes wrong-footing City keeper Joe Smith and landing in the back of the net.
Elsewhere, Mandurah City rescued a late point in a 1-1 draw with Inglewood United at Proto DPS Stadium. The breakthrough was made by the home side on 68 minutes when Chad Nilson crossed for Ciaran Byrne with the striker’s goal-bound header handled on the line by Steve Hesketh. Jason Dunphy sent Alfie Brincat the wrong way from the penalty spot, but it wouldn’t be enough to give Inglewood their first win of the season as Mandurah levelled two minutes into added time. Harrison Murray lifted a long ball into the box from out wide with Gerard Clark leaping to plant a brilliant header across Conor Hogan. Both sides remain winless after two matches with Inglewood on two home draws, while the Dolphins earned their first point of the year.
Saturday’s other fixture saw Kingsley Westside and Kalamunda City draw 0-0 in the evening kick-off, while Murdoch University Melville and Dianella White Eagles’ fixture, as well as Curtin’s clash with Subiaco, were postponed due to the hot conditions.
DIVISION ONE RESULTS, FIXTURES & STANDINGS
DIVISION TWO
Wembley Downs won their first ever State League game after collecting a 3-1 victory away at Wanneroo City. Josh Chalmers and Mella Loding had the visitors two-up in the first half, but Bosko Koloski halved the deficit to make it goals in back-to-back games. However, Chalmers scored from the penalty spot in the second period to restore Wembley’s two goal cushion and ensure Luke Thompson’s side wrote themselves into the history books.
The early pacesetters are Cockburn City, who made it two wins from two after coming back from 2-0 down to win 3-2 over Carramar Shamrock Rovers. Rovers were up at the break thanks to goals from Griffin Sture and Jamie Gibson, but Ben Thorpe pulled one back from the penalty spot early in the second half. Aidan O’Donnell then collected a second yellow card which allowed the momentum to turn in the Cockerels favour with Luka Caceres netting twice to complete the turnaround.
Finally, East Perth FC are also off the mark after winning 2-1 at home to Canning City. Tom Kinnane’s spot-kick had Canning in front but two goals early in the second half from Ryan McCready ensured Colm Costello’s side picked up their first points of the campaign.
Three games were postponed due to the heat, which were Swan United vs. Rockingham City, Ashfield SC vs. Balga and Forrestfield United vs. Quinns.